Shane Smith: Hello! And welcome to another installment of Pharmacy Insider, brought to you in conjunction with the Merck Adult Vaccination Program. As always, I’m Shane Smith.

As you know, the pharmacy landscape has undergone a major shift in recent years.

Many pharmacists around the country now embrace the fact that they are uniquely positioned to administer vaccines in their pharmacies.

Today, we’re going to talk to your peer, Jeannie Grubbs, who’s successfully made vaccination a hallmark of her pharmacy’s services. One thing that’s made Jeannie’s pharmacy so successful has been her ability to recognize opportunities to discuss vaccination with her patients both for a single vaccine and for coadministration, which is when pharmacists administer more than one vaccine in a single visit.

Dr. Grubbs: Whether it’s related to vaccination, consulting, or counseling. We make an effort to really build a relationship with our patients. But there are certain times when I’m able to really focus on encouraging vaccination.

Shane Smith: When are some of those times?

Dr. Grubbs: I discuss vaccines with my patients year-round, but I have found that the fall season presents a unique opportunity.

Dr. Grubbs: There’s usually more activity in the pharmacy in the fall, so I’m able to talk to more people about vaccination.

Dr. Grubbs to Shane: Also, when patients are already planning to get a seasonal vaccine, I have found they’re generally open to learning about other vaccines they may be eligible for.

Dr. Grubbs: Our pharmacy goal is, anytime we have a patient in front of us getting vaccinated, we make an effort to think about other vaccines too.

Shane Smith: Once you’ve identified that patients are eligible for certain vaccines, how receptive are they to the idea of getting more than one vaccine?

Dr. Grubbs: They are usually very open to it. Patients often say, “You know what? I’m here. Why not get everything I need?”

Shane Smith: That makes a lot of sense. If they’re in a mind-set for vaccination and already have their sleeve rolled up, why not take care of it in a single visit? Do you think that makes the routine easier for pharmacists too?

Dr. Grubbs: Oh, no question. Administering multiple vaccines can take virtually the same amount of time as just giving one vaccine. Patients only have to fill out the forms once, and pharmacists can efficiently bill for two vaccines, one immediately after the other. If it’s possible, I’ve found that giving two vaccines at once can be much easier.

Dr. Grubbs: As long as the pharmacist has been fully educated about which vaccines can be administered during the same visit, it’s an objective any pharmacy can adopt.

Shane Smith to Dr. Grubbs: Now, I know you make vaccination a priority year-round, but are there other times of the year that present additional opportunities to discuss coadministration of more than one vaccine?

Dr. Grubbs: The summertime can be great, too, for different reasons. Patients tend to be more laid back in the summer, and pharmacies are less busy. So I can often spend more time talking to a patient if I need to.

We make a strong effort to talk about vaccination year-round, but it’s really helpful to be aware of the seasonal impact and how to respond to that.

Shane Smith to Dr. Grubbs: Yeah, I can see why it would be beneficial for pharmacists to anticipate some of the best times to have these conversations.

Jeannie, thanks so much for your insight regarding opportunities during the year to discuss coadministering more than one vaccine.

Dr. Grubbs to Shane: You’re welcome, Shane.

Shane Smith: Both the fall and summer seasons present great chances to talk to patients about different vaccines in your pharmacy, and pharmacists who are cognizant of this pattern and position to help improve overall access to adult vaccines.

Shane Smith: Pharmacies that champion a proactive approach to vaccination can improve efficiency in their pharmacy and help raise vaccination rates in their community.

Thanks for joining us for this segment of Pharmacy Insider, brought to you in conjunction with the Merck Adult Vaccination Program.

Shane Smith: Concerning the information in this video, keep in mind that laws and regulations regarding in-store pharmacy vaccinations, including which vaccines pharmacists are permitted to administer and prescription requirements, vary by state. Consult the appropriate resources, including the relevant state pharmacy boards, for more information.